UK Happenings

SCAPA Celebration at UK Chandler Hospital Honors Martin Luther King Jr.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2015) -- As students in the School of Creative and Performing Arts walked the hallways of their school singing Pete Seeger's "We Shall Overcome," vocal teacher Millie Fields pointed out the purpose of freedom walks during the Civil Rights Era.

"Please notice, this is a peaceful movement," Fields told her students during a reenactment last week. "No one is throwing things, no one is shaming anybody and no one is yelling."

Fields, who teaches elementary, middle and high schoolers in the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) of the Bluegrass, said "peace and love" are the two most important words when reflecting on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The 19 students in her middle school vocal class will perform a free Martin Luther King Celebration concert in the Pavilion A Atrium of the UK Chandler Hospital on Friday, Jan. 16.

The celebration, which was planned, choreographed and written by the students, blends spiritual songs such as "Oh Freedom" with readings from Martin Luther King Jr. writings and theatrical performances. The students will sway as they sing, in character with a spiritual choir. This year marks the fourth year a group of SCAPA students, dressed in formal black and white attire, will perform a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the hospital atrium. During past performances at UK Chandler Hospital, Fields said patients have stopped to observe the students as they sing, act and read.

"Some people going through (the hospital) just had tests and learned the worst things about themselves," Fields said. "But what's so beautiful is that they come through the door and their faces are turned upside down when they see these kids moving."

The SCAPA students have performed concerts with the Lexington Philharmonic and at Alltech's Annual Symposium. Coordinated by the UK Arts in HealthCare program, the celebration begins and 12 p.m. and is open to the public. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu